Head Coach: Dai Young
Captain: James Haskell
Position 2013/2014: 7th
Predicted Position 2014/2015: 8th
Wasps Season Preview:
This is Dai Young’s fourth season in the head coaching job at Wasps and it is a vital year for the former British and Irish Lions prop. Under Young, Wasps have finished 11th, 8th and 7th in the table and that will not be deemed good enough for the club.
One of the main problems the Adams Park outfit have had is the quality of player that has been signed in Young’s tenure at the club. Looking at the players brought in during the off season, it seems like another season of frustration is in the offing.
Bradley Davies and James Gaskell are the high profile newcomers, brought in from Cardiff Blues and Sale Sharks respectively. They will no doubt add to the quality that already exists in the Wasps pack but it is in the backline where their signings disappoint.
Ruaridh Jackson has come in from Glasgow Warriors and has qualities but has failed to produce on a consistent basis throughout his career. It will be a toss up between the limited Andy Goode and Jackson for the starting out half position.
Rob Miller will fill the full back position after signing from Sale Sharks. Miller is a quality player but it is unlikely that both he and Elliott Daly will see much quality ball, unless Jackson finally delivers on the big stage.
If Wasps do not finish in the top 6 positions this term, it very well could be Dai Young’s final season at Adams Park. They have a very strong pack and the majority of their tries will have to come from their forwards if they are to progress from last season. To be honest I can’t see them doing enough to break into the European places. 8th is the best they can do.
Players In:
John Yapp (Prop) from Edinburgh Rugby
Lorenzo Cittadini (Prop) from Benetton Treviso
Ed Shervington (Hooker) from Worcester Warriors
Buster Lawrence (Second Row) from Moseley
Will Rowlands (Second Row) promoted from Academy
Bradley Davies (Second Row) from Cardiff Blues
James Gaskell (Second Row/Back Row) from Sale Sharks
Thomas Young (Back Row) from Gloucester Rugby
Ruaridh Jackson (Out Half) from Glasgow Warriors
Alapati Leiua (Centre/Wing) from Hurricanes
Sailosi Tagicakibau (Wing) from London Irish
Alex Lozowski (Full Back) from Leeds Carnegie
Rob Miller (Full Back) from Sale Sharks
Players Out:
Ricky Reeves (Prop) to London Welsh
Taione Vea (Prop) to London Welsh
Neil Cochrane (Hooker) to Edinburgh Rugby
Tom Palmer (Second Row) to Gloucester Rugby
Rory Pitman (Back Row) to Scarlets
Tommy Bell (Out Half) to Jersey
Joe Carlisle (Out Half/Centre/Full Back) to Benetton Treviso
Charlie Hayter (Centre) to England Sevens
Liam O’Neill (Wing) to Nottingham
Andrew Suniula (Centre/Wing) Released
Hugo Southwell Retired
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